From Carnegie Mellon University Athletics

A pair of veteran coaches were appointed to lead the Carnegie Mellon University cross country and track and field programs, as Associate Head Track and Field Coach Gary Aldrich has been promoted to head coach and longtime Notre Dame coach Tim Connelly has been named Head Cross Country and Associate Head Track and Field Coach. Aldrich and Connelly take over following the announcement of Dario Donatelli’s (TPR’81) retirement prior to the start of indoor track and field season.

“Carnegie Mellon has a proud tradition in cross country and track and field, and today is an exciting day for both our present and future,” said Director of Athletics Josh Centor. “Coach Aldrich and Coach Connelly have demonstrated outstanding leadership and success over the course of their careers, and we are fortunate to have them leading the cross country and track and field programs.”

In Aldrich's eight seasons as the associate head coach for the men’s and women’s track and field programs, the men's program has won three University Athletic Association Championships and he has coached five All-Americans.  The five-time USTFCCCA Mideast Regional Assistant Coach of the Year winner (2008 outdoor men, 2011 outdoor women, 2012 indoor men and women and 2012 outdoor women) has brought a presence from the beginning, including a successful coaching pedigree and strength and conditioning program that propelled the track and field teams to new heights.

In July 2010, Aldrich served as the assistant throws coach for the NACAC (North American, Central American, and Caribbean Athletic Association) Under 23 Team. Two years later, Aldrich served as the throws coach for the United States at the World Junior Track and Field Championships in Barcelona, Spain.

“I am thrilled and thankful to be named the Head Men’s and Women’s Track & Field Coach at Carnegie Mellon University.  Following in the footsteps of Coach Gary Meckley and Coach Dario Donatelli, who for the last 46 years have guided and led the track and field program, is truly an honor,” said Aldrich. “Over the last eight years of coaching at Carnegie Mellon I have developed a respect and admiration for this world-class institution and its student-athletes.  I am very thankful to all the student-athletes who have trusted and believed in me and the passion that I bring to this great sport.”

Connelly comes to Carnegie Mellon after serving 26 years at Notre Dame as the head women’s cross country coach and assistant men’s and women’s track and field coach.  He coached the women’s cross country team to a third-place (2002) and fourth-place (2004) NCAA finish during his tenure.  In all, Connelly’s teams have made 12 NCAA team appearances, won three Great Lakes Regionals and two BIG EAST Conference titles.  Since 1993, Connelly has mentored 15 All-Americans and 28 All-BIG EAST cross country runners.

On the track, Connelly tutored the women middle distance and distance runners at Notre Dame as they earned 28 All-America honors.  He played a huge factor in the Irish’s three BIG EAST indoor and two outdoor championships as well as nine runner-up team finishes at conference meets (four indoor, five outdoor). In addition, Connelly’s women's distance runners won 14 BIG EAST individual titles.

He is a three-time BIG EAST Women's Cross Country Coaching Staff of the Year winner (2002, 2003, 2005), part of three BIG EAST Women's Indoor Track & Field Coaching Staffs of the Year (2002, 2006, 2013) and two BIG EAST Women's Outdoor Track & Field Coaching Staffs of the Year (2007, 2013). He also was named Great Lakes Region Coach of the Year three times (2002, 2003, 2009), after the Irish won the region crown.

"I am very grateful and excited for the opportunity to become the Men's and Women's Cross Country and Associate Track and Field Coach at Carnegie Mellon University.  I was hoping to find a place where I would have the opportunity to coach bright, talented, and highly motivated student-athletes at a great university, and I am excited to have found such an opportunity at Carnegie Mellon,” Connelly said.  “Equally important to me was the opportunity to partner with Gary Aldrich, who is a great track and field coach and has for many years helped Dario Donatelli build a consistently successful program at Carnegie Mellon. Finally, Carnegie Mellon provides me with the opportunity to continue my coaching career in my hometown.”

Coach Aldrich will assume head coaching duties of the track and field programs immediately. Coach Connelly is expected to join the staff for the outdoor track and field season.